NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER

Hello everyone. Gratitude may well describe this month in particular. It is a time of gathering, literally and symbolically. Our "harvest" celebration is November 8. It is a special day in several ways. First, Spectrum Singers will rehearse for us at 10:30. They will then join us for our turkey dinner (also a potluck) at noon. Please partake of song and food with us. This is a wonderful opportunity for all of us to mingle with the greater tribe.

Our guest speaker for October, Carole Pertofsky, spoke about the foundations of happiness commencing with gratitude, pointing out that the heart space opens when we begin with what we are grateful for. Come, celebrate that space with us.

There was an excellent zoom presentation by Steven Cutter representing AVISTA on Friday, October 24. He spoke at length about a variety of assistance programs his company makes available to customers. To learn more, go to their website at myavista.com/getrebates.

At our Steering Committee Meeting last month, Cam began the time with a reading. While it was a kind of invocation for our time together, it also frames what we are about as a group.

Cam:  “I wrote the following as an opening statement. It expressed what this group means to me:

Welcome, my beloved friends. In a world that often forgets our wisdom, our joy, and our right to belong, we gather here not just to survive—but to thrive inwardly and outwardly.

We are LGBTQ+ elders, carriers of stories that shaped movements, nurtured families, and dared to love when love was outlawed.

This space is our sanctuary. A place where grief is honored, laughter is medicine, and resilience is not just a word, it’s our legacy.

In these turbulent times, when we might be very discouraged, or dare I say, depressed – know that it is important that we provide leadership not only to ourselves, but to others, our community, and our world.  It will mean listening deeply, showing up consistently, and holding each other with fierce tenderness.  Let us be that for one another. Let us rise, not despite the storm, but because we know how to dance in the rain.”

In a month of gratitude, may these words serve as a reminder of who we are and what we are about.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS:

(Please note, addresses to our events such as Taco Tuesday and Lunch on the Town are NOT posted on our website. This is for our collective privacy and security. Addresses can always be found in our newsletter. RSVPs are asked for as a matter of courtesy and efficiency for the host restaurant.)

November 4, Tuesday:  noon Taco Tuesday, no host

November 8, Saturday:  music at 10:30 am followed by noon

potluck.

November 13, Thursday: 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm Steering

committee meeting

November 19, Wednesday:  noon Lunch OUT on the Town,

November 27, Thursday:  Happy Thanksgiving All

Every Friday 4-5 pm: Zoom connection

(there is no speaker this month)

In Gratitude, Your Steering Committee